black bean soup with avocado cilantro 'cream'

black bean soup with avocado cilantro 'cream'

2T olive oil
1 small onion (diced)
1 carrot (diced)
4 cloves of garlic (smashed)
2tsp cumin (or more to taste)
1 bayleaf
salt & pepper to taste
2 cans of black beans (15oz)
1 can of diced tomatoes (15oz, i used fire roasted)
1 1/2 c chicken stock
1/4 c chopped cilantro


heat olive oil and saute onions, carrot, and garlic.  once you have them going, add the cumin and bayleaf.  saute for about 6 minutes (or until the onions become translucent).   throw in the cans of beans, tomatoes (juice and all), cilantro and chicken stock and bring to a bubbly simmer.  if it starts getting too thick, add some more stock and let cook for about 15-20 minutes.  pull off of heat and pull out bayleaf.  at this time you need to blend your soup - either with a blender (do it in batches) or with a hand blender in the pot.  blend it to your liking!  then put back in the pot and salt and pepper to taste.

avocado cilantro 'cream'
1 c greek yogurt (or other plain lowfat yogurt)
2T - 1/4c cilantro (i love cilantro, so i add a lot)
1 small avocado
1/2 small lime (i used a key lime)
salt & pepper

blend together with a food processor, blender, or hand mixer.  season to flavor.  if it needs more cilantro, lime, salt and/or pepper, go for it!  it's just the basis of a great sauce to add on top of the soup.  i would have added a jalapeno, but i'm too close to post op and a tad afraid of the heat so soon.

pour a delicious serving of soup in a bowl and drizzle on the sauce.  voila!  hope you enjoy....this can be had from week 3 post op and beyond.  

WOW that sounds incredible!! I will have to try it sometime... I been on a tomato soup kick the last few days and sugar free hot coco with some 1% milk. I feel great through, finally!! Sunday i start puree, I am soo looking forward to having some new foods again. How are you doing? I am down 18lbs so far.... Are you excersiing yet? or plan to start soon?

laura -

i'm glad to hear you are doing better!  i've gone through all of my soup cravings and pretty much made them all:)  went in to see the surgeon thursday for my first post op appt and he released me to drive and have puree.  yum.  i've had cream of wheat, which i thought was a dream.  now i get to have mashed potatoes for thanksgiving!  are you gonna puree your turkey?  hahhaaha. i'm really thinking about it.  

i've decided to step away from the scale as it's driving me nuts.  everyday, nerve racking, disappointment, elation.  NOT worth it.  i'm weighing mondays and that's it.  it's not moving as fast as i want it, but the surgeon says that happens for some as their bodies are still adjusting.  i lost way more pre op!  congrats on your 18lbs girl!  woohoo!

exercising, water and protein are things i'm still juggling with.  i have a treadmill, but it works really well as a closet right now!  we've had visitors since the surgery and as soon as they leave, i'll have more time to focus (i promise).  i try to force that protein as much as possible, but i'm OVER shakes.  i really love the gladiator at smoothie king, but i just got released to drive so i'll be there monday to get my shake on.  

have a wonderful turkey day!!

heather